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Happy snatch-it season welcome to Xmas in Mining
Welcome to snatch-it season (Xmas)
So, what is snatch-it season? It is a term used in the Western Australia Hardrock underground mining industry. Describing the period of time leading up to the Xmas/New Year holidays. In the past when there was a lot of work around, people would quit (snatch-it) their jobs in mid-December. Then start looking for a job in mid-January when their money started to run low. While other issues often play a big role in a people snatching-it, having to work the coming holidays is often the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
With all Australian mines running 24/7, 365 days a year including Xmas and New Years. If several crew members snatch-it at once, this can often lead to a domino effect as management start cancelling peoples leave. To cover for the missing crew (I know you are asking yourself, would management really cancel leave, YES!). I have been in the unlucky position of having my leave cancelled and having to keep my job. I watched 5 members of my crew all decide that they had had enough. All snatching it with in 12hours of each other. I can see the same thing happening this year with all the jobs around (just type “underground” into seek) and a real lack of experienced people.
This is the best time of year for a new starter to get their start. Now in the lead up to Xmas through to the end of January, employers are desperate to fill their crews. Like I have said before (in videos and blogs), all the employers want experienced people, but when they can’t get them. The employers will take the next best thing. Someone that knows how their mine works and what is going to be expected of them on site. This is where Underground Training students come in, knowing how it all works puts you 6 to 8 weeks ahead of everyone else they are interviewing for these jobs. Being trained in how a Hardrock mine works and the jobs/tasks performed, you are able to offer the employer a great option if an experienced person can’t be found and that’s how people get jobs using the training as you can see on our Wall of Fame page.
If you want to take advantage of this years snatch-it season, then I suggest you look at the DIY introduction to underground mining training package, there are full instructions on how to redo your resume (it takes about 2 hours to do yourself) and interview prep questions as well as a mining company to apply to directly. If you want your resume done for you checkout our 3 Step Plan package.
If you want help getting in, they also do a Workready package, where you get a ticketed WA shift boss to help you with the mining information, redo your resume, interview prep and come up with a plan of where and how to get in.
If you’ve got any questions or if you’d like to talk to someone, leave your contact details on our Enquiry Form page.